Part of a human skull of a middle age woman has been found in eastern Nebraska near Lyons.

The Nebraska State Patrol is assisting the Lyons Police Department with an investigation into the discovery, NSP spokeswoman Deb Collins said.

The skull was turned over to the Lyons Police in early November after being uncovered by a contractor excavating land near Lyons.

In connection with the discovery, DNA evidence from the 1995 disappearance case of Wanda Krumwiede is being collected for additional forensic examination and testing, Collins said.

Wanda Krumwiede was reported missing in June 1995. Her husband Wilhelm Krumwiede was charged with her murder, but was acquitted of the crime in two separate trials.

Wilhelm Krumwiede died in 2003.

“At this point it is premature to link the finding with the disappearance 18 years ago of Wanda Krumwiede,” said Nebraska State Patrol Investigative Lt. Randy Morehead. “It is our hope that DNA testing can be done and when completed we will be able to identify the remains.”